Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

Mr President, my question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Families, Community Services and, Indigenous Affairs, Senator Evans. Yesterday this Senate passed the Social Security Legislation (Fair Incentives to Work) Amendment Bill which will result in nearly 150,000 single parents being moved onto Newstart, hence reducing their income from 1 January next year. Given that January is a very stressful and expensive time for families with additional pressures from Christmas debts, back-to-school costs and businesses shutting down for the holiday period, has the government considered what impact the payment reductions will have on already stretched crisis and emergency services during this period? What steps is the government taking to address these impacts?